US Jurist. Judge of the United States District Court. In 1856 campaigned for the Republican ticket and was so outspoken against slavery he had to leave the state. Campaigned for Abraham Lincoln, in the 1860 campaign, and was rewarded with an appointment as fifth auditor of the treasury in 1861. In 1864, Underwood was appointed judge of the District Court of Virginia. He oversaw the grand jury which indicted Jefferson Davis for treason,  and was vigorous in defending the civil rights of African-Americans. Underwood was also president of the 1867-1868 Constitutional Convention. (bio by: PL)